Political philosophy, theory, and thought all focus on the arguments that have been advanced—by prominent thinkers from around the world and throughout human history—for various conceptions of a just human community. Different schools of such political thinking have developed over time and here some of these schools will be sketched and the major contributors will be listed. The bibliography lists sources for further study of these ideas.

Libertarianism and Capitalism

Libertarianism is the political system wherein the highest political good is the protection of the individual citizen's right to life, liberty, and property. Capitalism is the economic system of libertarianism because in libertarian societies the institution of the right to private property, that is, to own anything of value (not, of course, other human beings, who are themselves owners), is fully respected and protected.

Libertarian law rests on...